The events in the study and at Serenity Palace were quickly reported to Salvador, leaving him restless and irritable. Coupled with days of intense planning, the strain weighed heavily on him, and the relentless headaches only worsened.

Lifting Kylie's house arrest had been part of Salvador's preparations for Connor. If Connor was to be Crown Prince, his mom couldn't remain under the shadow of punishment.

Salvador had hoped Kylie's time in confinement would lead her to reflect and understand the dangers of indulgence that spoiling a son was no different from harming him. Yet, Kylie had emerged with an even stronger determination to keep Connor close, convinced that his presence was the key to securing her own position.

Salvador pushed his dinner away, his appetite nonexistent. He forced down a few bites to keep his stomach from aching and sipped the bitter medicine prescribed.

He had no choice but to drink it. Every day he managed to hold on felt like a small victory.noveldrama

But the looming specter of death shadowed his thoughts more heavily than ever. As he pulled away from his plans and schemes, fear began to set in.

He knew everyone had to face it eventually, but he had always thought death was far off. He never realized it could come so suddenly and without warning.

What Salvador wanted more than anything at that moment was someone to talk to-not about heavy matters of state or the endless calculations for the future, but something simple. He longed for a conversation about trivialities, something that could ease the suffocating weight in his chest.

Yet, as he searched his mind for someone to confide in, only one name surfaced-Carissa.

-

Carissa had been recovering at Hell Monarch Estate and hadn't come to the royal study for several days. Calling for Robert, Salvador endured another round of needle treatment to dull the pounding in his head. It brought some relief, but the dizziness and anxiety that followed was worse. It made the dark sky outside look like a giant whirlpool, almost pulling him under.

At that moment, an absurd and undeniable idea gripped him-one so urgent that he couldn't resist it.

At Hell Monarch Estate, the stillness of the evening was shattered by Luke's hurried steps. His round face glistened with sweat as he rushed through the courtyard, his urgency written in every movement. "What's going on?" Jacob asked, stepping out of the study, alarm evident in his voice.

Luke climbed the steps quickly, lowering his voice as he spoke. "His Majesty has arrived. He says he wishes to see Lady Carissa."

Jacob froze. "This is absurd!"

Leaving the palace late at night to visit a minister's residence was shocking enough, but doing so when Rafael wasn't even home? Only Carissa was at the estate, and she was still recovering from her injuries. Did Salvador not understand that a woman in recovery should remain in her quarters? What was Salvador expecting-Carissa to emerge, wounds and all, to greet him? Or worse, was he planning to visit her chambers directly?

"We've already welcomed him inside." Luke sighed heavily.

"How many people did he bring?" Jacob asked.

"Mr. Walker, Deputy Commander Ziegler, and Deputy Commander Kimber," Luke replied, his brow furrowed deeply. "And he came in a carriage."

Jacob began pacing, his anxiety spilling over. He's lost his mind. Absolutely lost it! The rebel's uprising may have been quashed, but who's to say there aren't remnants of Prince

s facet

lingering in the capital? If someone with ill intent is watching and sees this, wouldn't everything fall apart?"

"Tell me about it! This is truly frightening," Luke said, looking at Jacob. "Do you have any ideas? Think quickly. Should we have Lady Carissa go out to meet him?"

Jacob groaned and rubbed his

temples, his frown even deeper than

Luke's. "Have someone carry Lady Carissa, Out. When the king visits no minister can refuse to greet him. If we don't follow protocol, who knows what rumors might spread or what chaos might ensue?"

And so, Carissa was lifted from her quarters and carried outside. Whether it was the chilly night air or the sheer shock of the situation, she felt completely dazed.

By the time she was brought into the main hall, where Salvador sat at the head of the room, her disbelief had only grown.

Violet and Cynthia had accompanied her, whispering to each other in hushed tones the entire way. Now, they helped her stand up to greet Salvador.

"No need for formalities," Salvador said gently, his voice calm but tinged with hoarseness. "You can remain seated.

Carissa thanked him and returned to her chair, though her gaze instinctively flicked to Derek, who stood by Salvador's side. His hair was messy from the wind, and his face alternated between pale and ashen. He gave no indication of what was going on.

Jacob and Kyle had already taken their seats nearby, both with complex expressions in their eyes.

Even though Salvador had traveled

in a modest disguise, there was no mistaking the royal carriage that bore him from the palace. It had passed through the palace gates, crossed the Royal Street, and carried the unmistakable mark of royalty.

Who could have failed to notice?

SV